2nd Annual Greenpoint Arts Block Festival September 26

“It is an occasion to see what’s going on the community, meet people who have been there for thirty years and learn about its history and heritage,” says Greenpoint Arts Block Festival coordinator, Marta Pawlaczek. “It also presents an opportunity to discover new things like organizations and initiatives that offer valuable services to people.”

According to the festival’s press release, the 2nd annual neighborhood street festival “consists of various cultural, educational, and recreational events with the goal of promoting Polish and local artists, highlighting the Polish identity of Greenpoint, and integrating its old and new inhabitants.” The festival will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Leonard St. between Norman Ave. and Meserole Ave.

Karolina Gumpert, “local specialist when it comes to Polish modern cuisine,” will offer a workshop on Polish flavors to those interested in exploring them. Attendees interested in purely the eating part can enjoy pierogis and other Polish delicacies along with cuisines from France (Le Fond), Italy (Adelina’s) and Spain (El Born). The street version of the foods from these restaurants will “be present to highlight the multicultural character of Greenpoint.”

A highlight of the event will be a photo exhibit showing the changes in Greenpoint from the 1980s to the present and a new exhibition that is a result of a series of workshops called “People of Greenpoint” that portrays Greenpoint residents along with their unique story. The content is culled from twelve workshops that took place earlier this year “on the border of photography, anthropology, and sociology. The goal [was] to meet and photograph Poles that [have lived] in Greenpoint most of their life and witnessed the evolution of the neighborhood. “

The festival is very family-friendly, offering a photo booth, educational contests with prizes led by Dobra Polska Szkoła, art workshops hosted by ArtBox Atelier, face painting, balloon art, a guided tour of Greenpoint by veteran guide Norman Oder, and urban and board games. In addition, one key aspect of the festival is the opportunity for Greenpoint residents to interact with members of local organizations that provide services within the community to improve Greenpoint’s overall well being.

Last year, 1500 people passed through the festivals. Artists interested in displaying their work, non-profits wanting to introduce their work to the community, and artisans who would like to sell the outputs of their craft during the Greenpoint Arts Block Festival may contact Pawlaczek at [email protected] or (646) 589-2060. The festival itself is free to attend.

About Sonya Patel

Sonya is most drawn to voices, sounds, and lyrics that tell vivid and compelling stories. Her playlists include everything from folk, country, rock, and pop to hip hop and R&B, to blues and jazz. She will fly hundreds of miles to hear something live that piques her interest. (Instagram: @sonyacpatel Twitter: @sonyacpat)